“It was actually clear from the start that the subject of consumer protection belonged to my responsibilities, even if, formally, it wasn’t part of my job description. However, we wanted to make it evident, and that’s why the title was included,” said Martine Hansen, newly appointed minister for consumer protection, agriculture, and viticulture, in an interview with RTL on Wednesday morning.
For the government, consumer protection is of paramount importance. The immediate focus is on addressing the class action dossier, as Luxembourg is yet to implement the new EU directive. The Luxembourg Consumer Protection Association (ULC) has criticised the current Luxembourgish legal text, affirming that it prioritises economic interests over consumer interests. Martine Hansen acknowledges that the previous government’s legislation included exceptions for the banking sector. However, the Council of State formally opposed this approach, and there are plans to fully implement the new EU directive. Generally, the existing legal framework is deemed unsatisfactory, prompting the government to work towards establishing a new and more satisfactory legislative text, explained our guest.
The newly appointed minister emphasises the centrality of improved communication and dialogues for the agriculture sector. To foster ongoing engagement, she suggests the establishment of a round table involving all stakeholders in the sector every six months, recognising that discussions during emergencies alone are insufficient. These regular meetings would delve into current issues and revisit various topics. While achieving unanimity might be challenging, the key is to extend invitations to all relevant individuals and genuinely listen to their perspectives, proposed our guest.
Over the past 25 years, more than half of all farming businesses have closed their doors, leaving only about 1,500 currently in existence. The minister acknowledges that it is impossible to entirely halt the structural changes occurring in the sector, as these changes were set in motion long ago. However, she believes it could have been possible to motivate young people to join the sector by offering them an alternative and promising perspective for the future.
It is evident that the amount of livestock needs to be reduced due to the EU directive on ammonia emissions but everything needs to be put into perspective. In Luxembourg, about half of all used agricultural land is grassland. This is the reason why livestock farming is quire prominent in Luxembourg. Nevertheless, there exist alternatives to for the usage of these areas. When it comes to solar energy in the agricultural sector, meaning the installation of solar panels on agricultural land, the minister affirms that other areas should firstly be examined before settling on agricultural land.
When it comes to fruit and vegetable farming, there is considerable untapped potential for development. The new government expresses an interest in advancing the ‘Waasserdësch’ project, focusing on a more sustainable use of water resources. However, the intention is to move beyond mere rhetoric and translate words into action. Minister Hansen questions why another decade of research and studies should pass before implementing a pilot project. She emphasises the urgency of constructing rainwater reservoirs to establish model businesses.
A focal point, or a meeting point for farmers and individuals in the sector is missing. Many farmers possess innovative ideas but lack a direct avenue to share them. To address this, Minister Hansen proposes the appointment of an innovation advisor, acting as a liaison between individuals in the sector and the three responsible ministers in charge of environment, agriculture, and energy.
Glyphosate
Hansen highlights that the current government places greater emphasis on collaboration in implementing the ban on glyphosate compared to the previous administration. Luxembourg’s government is committed to respecting the EU’s decision to authorise the use of glyphosate for another 10 years. Nevertheless, Minister Hansen aims to encourage farmers to voluntarily abandon the pesticide and, to further encourage this transition, she proposes the establishment of financial assistance.
Watch the full interview in Luxembourgish
